Reading Like a Writer

Before I began writing seriously, I had no idea I'd have to alter the way I read. I still read solely like a reader. I fell into pages, fanned my fingernails on the corners of the paper--Uhmm...NEVER, EVER fold the edges of a page. In my world, rabbit ears are a major no-no. If you've done it, I forgive you...but you must stop! find a bookmark.

So often I'd skip over paragraphs of setting, even some description, to 'get to the good parts'. *head hanging, tangles covering my shame* I'm way guilty, but pwwease don't haul me off to the APJ: Authors'-Pet-peeves Jail for the Disorderly Readers.

I'm a dialog hog. I love to see, feel, and hear the interaction between characters. That's what usually lures me into committing the ultimate reader sin. I even have nonchalantly skimmed to the end, flashed my eyes on the page to 'accidentally' see the ending. I. Am. A. Fiend. Yes, I know.

But that was before I learned the difference between reading like a reader and reading like a writer. It also was before I realized the time, effort, blood, sweat, and tears that went into a manuscript. Simply out of respect, I don't leap ahead anymore. It is, however, quite difficult at times. *grins, but still tells the truth*

Index cards. 

As versatile as these little buggers already are to a writer, I've found another use for them. Armed with index cards, I stay conscious as I read and then write down any interesting words the author chose to use. It may be a word I'm not that familiar with or it may be one I cherish but haven't used recently. This seems to keep me on my toes when it comes to vocabulary. I usually take two or three cards per book and leave them between the pages as I read, that way I have no excuse for not using them. Often I carry these cards with me, and if I'm at a light in traffic or waiting in some line I'll pull them out and scan, reinforce.

I also make note of a dialog strand that hooked me. Later, I go back and ask myself a few questions: why did it hook me? What was the introduction to that section of dialog? How many characters were involved? What was the setting, etc..? All sorts of questions. I'm sure you can come up with a few yourselves.

Taking notice of order of action--dialog, deepening scene, backstory, back to a deepening scene--is also extremely helpful. Then I can go back and see the points within the book where I was mesmerized and determine why. It's almost like handwritten hindsight. It's neat, and using this technique enables me see the story as well as plot, structure, and character depth more clearly.

Keeping an open mind while reading is not always easy, especially if you are totally engrossed within the text. But it can make a huge difference in how you read as a writer and how you write as a reader.

Tapping Fingers.

(Still on vacation. I MISS you guys. I think we're going to the beach, today. That should help. Enjoy your weekend!!)